Heading home after a minor or severe operation or a health scare is the best feeling - until you realise your limbs aren’t quite on board yet and your house suddenly looks like a daunting obstacle course. It’s not all bleak though. A little forward thinking and preparation goes a long way. Get the right aids in place before you walk through the door and your recovery will feel a lot less troublesome or uneasy.

We are all too aware this is a common concern for many following surgery, so we have prepared the following - our no-nonsense checklist so you can be sure that you have everything properly set up before you return from the hospital. (And for your added convenience, we stock all of these items right here at Better Independent Living).

Moving around the house freely

When you’re a bit shaky or off balance, the small task of simply moving from one room to another no longer seems so small. However, you can make life easier for yourself.

Walking frames or rollators are a good place to begin. Make sure it’s adjusted to your height properly for best comfort, check the quality of the feet and most important be sure it is the right width and height to fit through any doorways or corridors.

Give yourself an extra pull when getting up from, or in and out of places, like your bed or chair. Support rails and handles are quick to install and take up little room in the home. 

Avoid the chaos - and clutter. Be sure to free your path of anything that may present a challenge, such as rugs or loose cables. It would be wise to make sure your rooms are adequately lighted too, if you can’t see clearly enough, it’s just one more hurdle to content with.

Quick win: Our “Double Loop Bed Stick” slots right under the mattress and give you something solid to pull on.

Product favourites from customers:

“Double Loop Bed Stick” which provides a sturdy support by the side of the bed.

“EZ Adjustable Bed Rail with Pouch” - doubles as a handle and stops you rolling out.

“Premier Bed Rail” - works with pretty much any bed and feels rock-solid.

Safeguard the bathroom

Often when you have come back home from a surgery, your strength is reduced. Throw into the mix a wet bathroom floor, you’re simply asking for trouble. What once seemed insignificant, such as a slightly un-dried floor, is now a real hazard - particularly when your balance and quick reactions to get steady again aren’t quite what they once were.

 

Consider a frame or raised seat to make using the toilet easier, and more accessible without having to exert too much strain on the body.

Make sure you have gran rails by and even inside the bathtub or shower area to aid you with getting in and out, and also to keep your balance whilst you wash.

Prevent a nasty, and avoidable, fall by placing non-slip mats inside and outside the bath and shower points.

For added peace of mind - and comfort - a shower chair or stool wouldn’t be a bad addition to your bathroom setup.

We have a full choice of raised toilet seats, frames and gran rails that would be perfect for your home. Not sure which would be best? Just ask, we’re happy to help.

Make the everyday challenges, less challenging

Even if you feel as though you are on the mend and moving around more freely, it’s best to still give yourself every chance to heal properly by not overdoing it too soon. Trying to reach something on a top shelf, can lead to over exertion and can cause more damage to your recovery.

There are a whole collection of products we stock that make your daily life a bit easier to navigate:

• A reacher or grabber is perfect for getting hold of those top shelf items.
• A kitchen trolley or wheeled walker is a good way to transport your meals and other items around the house.
• Use furniture raisers (or even prop them up with cushions) to make it easier to access your couch, dining table or desk areas.

Keep the things you use most within easy reach.

Work towards getting stronger again

The goal isn’t to live with these aids forever. As soon as you feel, or are assessed to be, fully healed - you can get back to normal. Of course, you can always help to speed up your recovery process by putting in just a little effort along the way.

Set tiny daily goals, walk about and exercise – even if it’s just from one end of the corridor to the other. The more active you can be, the faster your healing can be.

Use your aids as stepping-stones, not permanent props. They are there to help, not to overtake your life.

If using a wheelchair or rollator, get to grips with the manoeuvring and how they work to your benefit. Practise turning, stopping and reversing - in a safe space.

Think beyond the indoors - are steps or the garden going to catch you out later?

A little safety touch can make a big difference

Do what you can to help your recovery along smoothly and without compromise. These can be simple things such as:

• Plug-in sensor night-lights or a bedside lamp you can reach without getting up.
• Get rid of any loose rugs and tape down any rogue cables.
• Swap fluffy slippers for something with grip (even indoors).
• Let family or carers know you’re aiming to do more yourself – if you let everyone do everything for you, you are never going to improve.

The final hospital checkout checklist

Before leaving the care of your doctors, prepare beforehand to make sure your home is ready and equipped to best aid you in your recovery:

• Walking aid ordered and on its way
• Bed rails and grab handles fitted
• Raised toilet seat & toilet frame fixed (if needed)
• Bathroom grab bars installed
• Clear, lit pathways from room to room and within hallways and corridors
• Night-lights or a torch easily accessible
• Reachers and grabbers by your chairs and bed
• Suitable footwear with better grip
• Phone or pendant alarm within reach or around your neck

Coming home is a massive step towards getting your life back after surgical procedures. It’s normal to feel excited, and a bit nervous. The smoother you make those first few weeks, the faster your recovery pace becomes.

Order aids early (ideally before being discharged), check if you qualify for VAT relief, and give yourself the gift of a home that works with you, not against you.

We’ve got the gear to help you get your life back on track. Safe recovery!